Control Of Rheumatic Diseases Research Articles

Cellular immune response to the anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in pediatric autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease patients and controls.

This paper aims to compare the cellular immune response to the SARS-CoV2 BNT162b2 vaccine of pediatric patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease (pAIIRD) and healthy controls. A prospective longitudinal study was conducted between April 2021 to December 2022 at the Tel Aviv Medical Center. Children<18 years, with pediatric-onset AIIRD and healthy controls, who have received at least two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine, were included. Humoral response was evaluated by serum levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain antibodies. Cellular response was evaluated by flow cytometry, measuring IFNγ and TNFα production by CD4+ T-cells following stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 Spike peptide mix. The study included 20 pAIIRD patients and 11 controls. The mean age of participants was 12.6±2.94 years, with 58.1% females. The cellular response to the BNT162b2 vaccine was statistically similar in both groups. However, the humoral response was statistically lower in pAIIRD compared with the healthy control group. There was no statistically significant correlation between the humoral response and cellular response. During the study period, 43.75% AIIRD children and 72.7% controls had a breakthrough COVID-19 infection (p=0.48). Bivariate models examining the effect of the cellular response and presence of an AIIRD on breakthrough infections found no effect. Compared with healthy controls, pAIIRD demonstrated similar cellular responses. Patients showed reduced humoral response compared with healthy adolescents, but similar breakthrough infection rates. These findings may support the importance of the cellular response in protecting against COVID-19 infections.

Lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in ankylosing spondylitis than non-inflammatory rheumatic disease controls in a 1978-98 study: a potential effect of increased physical energetics in manual occupations in the pre-2000 chronologic era.

No article on serum lipids in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and control subjects has been reported from USA. The primary aim of this study was to determine if any difference occurred in serum lipid levels in AS and control rheumatic disorders in two time periods, 1978-98 and 2000-10. The secondary aim was to investigate variables associated with lipid levels and if a difference was found between AS and control disorders. The AS patients were compared to non-inflammatory rheumatic disorders (NIRDs) in 1978-98 and 2000-10 surveys and to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the 2000-10 survey. Patients were matched within 5 years of age, sex, and clinic or hospital source. In the 1978-98 survey, entry mean (SEM) serum cholesterol level [mg/dL] was highly (p<0.001) significantly lower in 69 AS [179.0 (4.8)] than 69 matched NIRD controls [208.0 (5.6)]. In 29 pairs of AS and NIRD subjects having manual labour occupations, mean (SEM) cholesterol level was additionally lower in AS [156.7 (5.9)] and higher in 29 NIRD controls [213.3 (8.6)] (p<0.001). In manual labour workers, mean (SEM) serum triglyceride was significantly lower (p=0.004) in 15 AS [110.3 (14.1)] than 14 NIRD controls [185.2 (19.3)]. In the 2000-10 survey, no lipid difference was found between AS vs. NIRD control patients. In the 1978-98 survey, AS had significantly lower mean serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels than NIRD control patients. Associated manual labour occupations may have significantly contributed to results, possibly related to increased energy expenditures from physical activity in the pre-2000 era.

Comparison of nailfold capillaroscopy findings in COVID-19 survivors with and without rheumatic disease: a case-control study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) findings of patients with rheumatic disease and healthy controls (HCs) who survived coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This study included patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who recovered from COVID-19 and HCs. NFC was performed for all participants. NFC findings of the three groups [patients with COVID-19 (group 1), HCs with COVID-19 (group 2), and HCs without COVID-19 (group 3)] were compared.&#x0D; Results: A total of 142 individuals (group 1, n = 42; group 2, n = 50; group 3, n = 50) were included in the study. Hospitalization and oxygen therapy were more common in group 1 than in group 2. The median time from a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test to NFC was 10.3 (6.3–24.4) weeks in group 1 and 17.1 (6.1–44.9) weeks in group 2. All NFC findings did not differ among the groups except for capillary ramifications, which were higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. Underlying rheumatic disease was the only predictor that was significantly associated with capillary ramifications.&#x0D; Conclusion: The NFC findings of COVID-19 survivors with and without rheumatic disease were substantially similar to those of HCs who did not have COVID-19. Capillary ramifications may result from an underlying rheumatic disease in patients with axSpA, PsA, and RA.

The Epidemiology of Rheumatic Diseases in India

Epidemiological studies, referred to as the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) studies, have been conducted under the aegis of the International League against Rheumatism and the World Health Organization to evaluate the epidemiology of rheumatic and musculoskeletal (RMSK) diseases in India. These COPCORD studies conducted in rural Bhigwan and urban Pune in Maharashtra, rural Calicut and rural Trivandrum in Kerala and rural and urban Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, along with data from the Global Burden of Diseases study have helped to understand the burden of rheumatic diseases in the community. Based on these studies, RMSK diseases, which are amongst the top 25 causes of disability in the Indian population, are prevalent in nearly 25%–30% of the Indian population. The common rheumatic diseases in the community are soft tissue rheumatism, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia and unspecified pains and osteoarthritis (most commonly affecting the knee). These diseases most commonly affect young persons between the third to the fifth decade of life, more often affect females, are prevalent in both rural and urban populations, and account for considerable disability in up to one-fifth of individuals leading to loss of livelihood and dependence on others for self-care. Community-based national healthcare programs to manage RMSK diseases at the community level are urgently needed. There also remains an unmet need to train more doctors to diagnose and manage rheumatic diseases at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care.

An outbreak of acute rheumatic fever in a remote Aboriginal community

ObjectivesWe describe the public health response to an outbreak of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in a remote Aboriginal community. MethodsIn August 2021, the Northern Territory Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program identified an outbreak of acute rheumatic fever in a remote Aboriginal community. A public health response was developed using a modified acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis protocol and the National Acute Rheumatic Fever Guideline for Public Health Units. Results12 cases were diagnosed during the outbreak; six-times the average number of cases in the same period in the five years prior (n=1.8). Half (n=6) of the outbreak cases were classified as recurrent episodes with overdue secondary prophylaxis. Contact tracing and screening of 11 households identified 86 close contacts. ConclusionsThis outbreak represented an increase in both first episodes and recurrences of acute rheumatic fever and highlights the critical need for strengthened delivery of acute rheumatic fever secondary prophylaxis, and for improvements to the social determinants of health in the region. Implications for Public HealthOutbreaks of acute rheumatic fever are rare despite continuing high rates of acute rheumatic fever experienced by remote Aboriginal communities. Nevertheless, there can be improvements in the current national public health guidance relating to acute rheumatic fever cluster and outbreak management.

A Review of Community-Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases Studies from India

Abstract Background: Community-Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) is a global community-based program, emphasizing prevalence data. In India, it has been headed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR), and the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD), India. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also utilized the COPCORD methodology. This study aimed to review Indian COPCORD data. Methods: PubMed, COPCORD website, conference proceedings, and citations were searched from inception to 2022. Search terms included WHO-ILAR, COPCORD, and India. Studies conducted in India and available in English were included. Abstracts from journal supplements or conference proceedings were included if they studied the Indian population. Results: Bhigwan, Pune, Bikaner, Lucknow, Calicut, and Trivandrum studies were published as full-length articles. Soft-tissue rheumatism showed a higher prevalence than most diseases everywhere. The appraisal checklist found a few lacunae in the description of the study setting and statistical analysis clarity. Bhigwan had a high prevalence of “ill-defined diagnosis” (6.25%). Osteoarthritis (OA) knee had a prevalence of 10.6% in Lucknow urban. RA prevalence was 2.54% in Bikaner. Pune exhibited the highest OA prevalence (6.25%). Age and gender were important risk factors in the Calicut study. Trivandrum found that functional impairment impacted workability and finances. Malappuram reported higher rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMSD) in women (70%). Conclusion: COPCORD studies were the first to highlight the burden of RMSD in India. Nonclinical aspects such as architecture and living conditions have been described. Further research regarding functional ability, work disability, and psychosocial factors is recommended. Future scope to look at economic aspects and environmental risk factors remains.

Post-COVID condition in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands.

Studies on long-term consequences of COVID-19, commonly referred to as post-COVID condition, in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases are scarce and inconclusive. Furthermore, classifying patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases as having post-COVID condition is complicated because of overlapping symptoms. Therefore, we investigated the risk of post-COVID condition and time until recovery, and compared the prevalence of symptoms seen in post-COVID condition, between patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and healthy controls, with and without a history of COVID-19. In this substudy we used data from an ongoing prospective cohort study in the Netherlands. All adult patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases from the Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, were invited to participate in the study between April 26, 2020, and March 1, 2021. All patients were asked, but not obliged, to recruit their own control participant of the same sex, of comparable age (< 5 years), and without an inflammatory rheumatic disease. Demographic and clinical data, including data on the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infections, were collected via online questionnaires. On March 10, 2022, all study participants received a questionnaire on the occurrence, onset, severity, and duration of persistent symptoms during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, independent of their history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, we prospectively monitored a subset of participants who had a PCR or antigen confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 2-month period surrounding the questionnaire in order to assess COVID-19 sequelae. In line with WHO guidelines, post-COVID condition was defined as persistent symptoms that lasted at least 8 weeks, started after the onset and within 3 months of a PCR or antigen-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and could not be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, logistic regression analyses, logistic-based causal mediation analyses, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses for time until recovery from post-COVID condition. In exploratory analyses, E-values were calculated to investigate unmeasured confounding. A total of 1974 patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease (1268 [64%] women and 706 [36%] men; mean age 59 years [SD 13]) and 733 healthy controls (495 [68%] women and 238 [32%] men; mean age 59 years [12]) participated. 468 (24%) of 1974 patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease and 218 (30%) of 733 healthy controls had a recent SARS-CoV-2 omicron infection. Of those, 365 (78%) of 468 patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease and 172 (79%) of 218 healthy controls completed the prospective follow-up COVID-19 sequelae questionnaires. More patients than controls fulfilled post-COVID condition criteria: 77 (21%) of 365 versus 23 (13%) of 172 (odds ratio [OR] 1·73 [95% CI 1·04-2·87]; p=0·033). The OR was attenuated after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted OR 1·53 [95% CI 0·90-2·59]; p=0·12). Among those without a history of COVID-19, patients with inflammatory diseases were more likely to report persistent symptoms consistent with post-COVID condition than were healthy controls (OR 2·52 [95% CI 1·92-3·32]; p<0·0001). This OR exceeded the calculated E-values of 1·74 and 1·96. Recovery time from post-COVID condition was similar for patients and controls (p=0·17). Fatigue and loss of fitness were the most frequently reported symptoms in both patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease and healthy controls with post-COVID condition. Post-COVID condition after SARS-CoV-2 omicron infections was higher in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease than in healthy controls based on WHO classification guidelines. However, because more patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease than healthy controls without a history of COVID-19 reported symptoms that are commonly used to define a post-COVID condition during the first 2 years of the pandemic, it is likely that the observed difference in post-COVID condition between patients and controls might in part be explained by clinical manifestations in the context of underlying rheumatic diseases. This highlights the limitations of applying current criteria for post-COVID condition in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease, and suggests it might be appropriate for physicians to keep a nuanced attitude when communicating the long-term consequences of COVID-19. ZonMw (the Netherlands organization for Health Research and Development) and Reade foundation.

The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impact

ObjectiveRheumatic heart disease (RHD) comprises heart-valve damage caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The Australian Government Rheumatic Fever Strategy funds RHD Control Programs to support detection and management of ARF and RHD. We assessed epidemiological changes during the years of RHD Control Program operation. MethodsLinked RHD register, hospital and death data from four Australian jurisdictions were used to measure ARF/RHD outcomes between 2010 and 2017, including: 2-year progression to severe RHD/death; ARF recurrence; secondary prophylaxis delivery and earlier disease detection. ResultsDelivery of secondary prophylaxis improved from 53% median proportion of days covered (95%CI: 46-61%, 2010) to 70% (95%CI: 71-68%, 2017). Secondary prophylaxis adherence protected against progression to severe RHD/death (hazard ratio 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.8). Other measures of program effectiveness (ARF recurrences, progression to severe RHD/death) remained stable. ARF case numbers and concurrent ARF/RHD diagnoses increased. ConclusionsRHD Control Programs have contributed to major success in the management of ARF/RHD through increased delivery of secondary prevention yet ARF case numbers, not impacted by secondary prophylaxis and sensitive to increased awareness/surveillance, increased. Implications for public healthRHD Control Programs have a major role in delivering cost-effective RHD prevention. Sustained investment is needed but with greatly strengthened primordial and primary prevention.

Acthar Gel (RCI): A Narrative Literature Review of Clinical and Economic Evidence.

Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection [RCI]) is a naturally sourced complex mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone analogs and other pituitary peptides used to treat patients with serious and rare inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. This narrative review summarizes the key clinical and economic findings among 9 indications: infantile spasms (IS), multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis and polymyositis (DM/PM), ocular inflammatory diseases (primarily uveitis and severe keratitis), symptomatic sarcoidosis, and proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome (NS). Key studies of clinical efficacy and healthcare resource utilization and cost from 1956 to 2022 are discussed. Evidence supports the efficacy of RCI across all 9 indications. RCI is recommended as first-line treatment for IS and is associated with improved outcomes for the other 8 indications, including increased recovery rates in MS relapse; improved disease control in RA, SLE, and DM/PM; real-world effectiveness in patients with uveitis and severe keratitis; improved lung function and reduced corticosteroid use in symptomatic sarcoidosis; and increased rates of partial remission of proteinuria in NS. For many indications, RCI may improve clinical outcomes during exacerbations or when conventional treatments have failed to show a benefit. RCI is also associated with a reduction in the use of biologics, corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Economic data suggest RCI is a cost-effective, value-based treatment option for MS relapse, RA, and SLE. Other economic benefits have been demonstrated for IS, MS relapses, RA, SLE, and DM/PM, including reduced hospitalizations, lengths of stay, inpatient and outpatient services, and emergency department visits. RCI is considered safe and effective and features economic benefits for numerous indications. Its ability to control relapse and disease activity makes RCI an important nonsteroid treatment option that could help preserve functioning and well-being among patients with inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Rheumatic fever and Rheumatic heart disease among clinically suspected patients with joint pain in a specialized hospital

Background: Rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are the leading causes of early cardiovascular morbidity and mortality especially in developing world. Recently more emphasis is given on the role of echocardiography for diagnosis of these diseases. Objective: Recent and reliable data and studies on RF and RHD are very limited in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study was done to diagnose rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease among clinically suspected patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2021 in National Center for Control of Rheumatic Fever and Heart Disease, Dhaka. A total of 250 patients irrespective of age and sex with complaints of joint pain and clinically suspected of RF and RHD were enrolled. Laboratory investigations including CBC with ESR, ASO titer, CRP, ECG and echocardiography were done. Results: Among the suspected patients, acute rheumatic fever without carditis was diagnosed in 10 (4%) patients and 15 (6%) had rheumatic heart disease with recurrent RF and carditis. Rheumatic fever with carditis were diagnosed in 63 (25.2%) patients; among whom 19 (7.6%) had clinical carditis and 44 (17.6%) were diagnosed as subclinical carditis. Acute rheumatic fever was diagnosed only within 5-20 years of age patient and 60% patients of RHD were found in 21-30 age groups. About half (49.20%) of the patients of rheumatic fever with carditis were between 11 to 15 years of age. Several abnormalities of heart valves were detected by Echocardiography; 78.2% of the patients of RF and RHD had mitral regurgitation and all the mitral stenosis cases were detected in patients with RHD. Combination of mitral regurgitation with aortic regurgitation and mitral regurgitation with mitral stenosis was also present. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that RF and RHD are not negligible in our country. Though the result does not indicate the prevalence or incidence; however, it highlights the need of systematic large-scale study with inclusion of echocardiography to find the prevalence of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2022; 48: 83-89

Morpho-mechanistic screening criteria for the echocardiographic detection of rheumatic heart disease

IntroductionScreening echocardiography, guided by the current World Heart Federation (WHF) criteria, has important limitations that impede the establishment of large-scale rheumatic heart disease (RHD) control programmes in endemic regions. The...

The severe presentation and poor outcomes of rheumatic heart disease in Namibia: Lessons from the REMEDY study

Background. This paper reports the baseline characteristics and outcomes of 266 Namibian patients in the Global Registry of Rheumatic Heart Disease.Objective. To describe clinical findings and outcomes in a cohort of children and adults with rheumatic heart disease in Namibia.Methods. Prospective study of all patients with rheumatic heart disease at Windhoek Central Hospital between January 2010 and November 2012.Results. A total of 266 patients were enrolled; median age was 22 years, 72.6% were &lt;30 years old and 60.5% female. The majority (62.8%) had moderate-severe disease; 48.9% were in congestive cardiac failure. Secondary antibiotic prophylaxis was used by 34.2%. Warfarin was used by 75.3% (n=64/85) with clinical indications. Forty-seven (17.6%) had previous valve interventions, of whom 40 (15.0%) had mechanical valve replacements. Over a 2-year follow-up period 19.1% of patients died. Severe valve involvement at enrolment was independently associated with mortality (24.6% v. 5.1% in those without severe disease; hazard ratio 4.9; 95% confidence interval 1.50 - 15.98). Sixty-five (29.8%) of the 218 without previous intervention had valvular intervention after enrolment.Conclusions. In Namibia rheumatic heart disease affects young people who present with severe disease and have a high case fatality rate. Rates of secondary prevention were low. These findings have informed the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Namibia.

Evaluating efficiency and equity of prevention and control strategies for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in India: an extended cost-effectiveness analysis

There is a dearth of evidence on the cost-effectiveness of a combination of population-based primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and control strategies for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. The present analysis evaluated the cost-effectiveness and distributional effect of primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions and their combinations for the prevention and control of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in India. A Markov model was constructed to estimate the lifetime costs and consequences among a hypothetical cohort of 5-year-old healthy children. Both health system costs and out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) were included. OOPE and health-related quality-of-life were assessed by interviewing 702 patients enrolled in a population-based rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease registry in India. Health consequences were measured in terms of life-years and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained. Furthermore, an extended cost-effectiveness analysis was undertaken to assess the costs and outcomes across different wealth quartiles. All future costs and consequences were discounted at an annual rate of 3%. A combination of secondary and tertiary prevention strategies, which had an incremental cost of ₹23 051 (US$30) per QALY gained, was the most cost-effective strategy for the prevention and control of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in India. The number of rheumatic heart disease cases prevented among the population belonging to the poorest quartile (four cases per 1000) was four times higher than the richest quartile (one per 1000). Similarly, the reduction in OOPE after the intervention was higher among the poorest income group (29·8%) than among the richest income group (27·0%). The combined secondary and tertiary prevention and control strategy is the most cost-effective option for the management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in India, and the benefits of public spending are likely to be accrued much more by those in the lowest income groups. The quantification of non-health gains provides strong evidence for informing policy decisions by efficient resource allocation on rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease prevention and control in India. Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.

Frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome and anxiety post-corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in patients attending the rheumatology clinic

Aim of the workTo screen for the new development of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and anxiety in rheumatic diseases (RDs) patients and control who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients and methodsThe study included 200 RDs patients and 100 matched controls with no previous history of FMS and who recovered from COVID-19. The patients’ RDs included rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 50), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 50), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (n = 40) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) (n = 60). The fibromyalgia symptom scale (FS), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and Hamilton Anxiety rating scale were assessed. ResultsThe mean age of patients was 35.9 ± 8.5 years with female: male 2.6:1. Fibromyalgia and anxiety were significantly higher in cases than control (22.5 % vs 12 % and 27 % vs16 %, p = 0.002, p = 0.03 respectively). Hypertension, obesity, anxiety, severe COVID-19, frequency of SLE and SpA were significantly higher in patients with FMS compared to those without (31.1 % vs 11.6 %, 68.9 % vs 21.9 %, 84.4 % vs 10.3 %, 48.9 % vs 16.8 %, 31.1 % vs 23.2 % and 40 % vs 27.1; p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.014, p = 0.004 respectively).Severity of COVID-19, diabetes and anxiety were significant predictors of FMS(β = 1.1, p = 0.007; β = 3.03, p = 0.001 and β = 4.44, p < 0.001 respectively). Fibromyalgia increases with increase anxiety grade; the percentage of fibromyalgia was 4.7 %, 50 %, 90 % and 100 % among patients with no anxiety, mild, moderate, and severe anxiety respectively (p < 0.001). ConclusionFibromyalgia is common in RDs patients post-COVID-19. Diabetes, COVID-19 infection severity and anxiety predict the risk of developing post-COVID-19 fibromyalgia. Post-COVID-19 fibromyalgia occurred more in hypertensive, obese, anxious and patients with severe COVID infection.

Cultural adaptation and validation of the COPCORD questionnaire for the detection of rheumatic diseases in the indigenous Misak population

IntroductionThe objective was to adapt and validate in a culturally sensitive way the methodology of the community-oriented programme for the control of rheumatic diseases (COPCORD) in the indigenous Misak community of Colombia. Material and methodsA culturally sensitive validation of the COPCORD questionnaire in Spanish was carried out, translating into the nam trik wam language used by the Misak community of Guambia town. It was adapted to the context of this population and later a back-translation to Spanish was carried out. Finally, it was validated applying the survey with the support of bilingual translators. Participants with pain, stiffness or swelling in any joint in the previous 7 days and/or at any time in life were evaluated by physicians and physiotherapists and were then, upon confirming the diagnosis of a musculoskeletal disorder, subsequently examined by a rheumatologist. ResultsIn this population (n = 106), 58.5% were women with an average age of 45.5 years. In the last 7 days, 51 subjects (48.1%) reported having musculoskeletal pain and 7 (44.3%) reported pain at some time in their life. Of those who received treatment, 53.1% reported using traditional medicine, 34.4% homeopathic treatment, and 25% allopathic treatment. The COPCORD Misak demonstrated an adequate capacity to detect musculoskeletal disorders, with a sensitivity of 63.3% and a specificity of 80.3%, with a positive likelihood ratio of 3.2, and area under the curve of.71. ConclusionThe COPCORD methodology is a valid screening tool to detect musculoskeletal disorders in the Misak community.

Dual biologic therapy for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and asthma: a case series.

Combination biological therapies are being considered increasingly for patients with multiple co-morbidities requiring biologics. There are limited data available on this approach, and concerns remain about the possible risk of adverse events, particularly infection. We present three patients on dual biologics for rheumatic disease and asthma. The biologic combinations used were etanercept and mepolizumab, infliximab and omalizumab, and etanercept and omalizumab. The time on combination biologic therapies ranged from 24 to 36 months. Patients were monitored for any serious adverse events. All three patients were able to tolerate combined biologic therapies, with no serious adverse events. All three patients gained improvement in their rheumatic and asthma disease control, with reduction in disease activity scores and reduction in steroid usage. The decision to start dual biologic therapy should be considered carefully, on a case-by-case basis. The number of patients who are on combination biological therapy is small, and data are sparse. Real-world data are needed to examine the long-term benefits and risks of different forms of combination biologic therapies.

Epidemiology of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in a Nigerian peri-urban community: results of a cross-sectional survey using the COPCORD stage 1 model.

There is relative neglect of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). While hospital-based reports on RMDs abound, there is a paucity of population-based reports on these conditions which are otherwise recognized to cause functional disability and reduced quality of life in the affected individuals. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, diagnostic types, and predictors of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in Agbowa, a peri-urban community in Lagos, South-West Nigeria. This community-based survey utilized the World Health Organisation/International League of Association of Rheumatology Community Oriented Programme for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases (WHO/ILAR COPCORD) stage 1 model. All respondents had their profiles documented via modified COPCORD questionnaires. Pain intensity and functional disability were assessed by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Health Assessment Questionnaires Disability Index (HAQ-DI) respectively. The rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases were classified using relevant validated criteria. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS Version 21. There were 3056 respondents who were predominantly female (59.2%). The period prevalence of MSK pain among the 3056 respondents was 58% (n = 1,773). There were significantly more females with MSK pain than males (62.8% vs. 37.2%, p = 0.001). Overall, 380 (12.4%) subjects had clinically diagnosed RMDs. The common RMDs in decreasing order were osteoarthritis (n = 185, 6.1%), chronic low back pain (n = 95, 3.1%) and soft tissue rheumatism (n = 52, 1.7%). The bivariate analysis showed that female sex, family history of MSK conditions, history of previous trauma, and some comorbidities were significantly associated with MSK pain. The median HAQ-DI was 0.6 (IQR 0.1-1.8) with significant disability (HAQ-DI ≥ 1) in 39.5% of the subjects. The burden and impacts of these conditions are considerable. Thus, the government needs to devise programmes and policies to limit the effects of RMDs in such communities.

Combination therapy of a TRPV2 agonist with a TNF inhibitor achieves sustained suppression of disease severity and reduced joint damage.

We aimed to compare a transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) agonist with a TNF inhibitor, and to test the potential of their combination in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) as a potential future strategy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Following the onset of CIA DBA1/j mice were started on treatment with either vehicle, etanercept (8 mg/kg three times a week), the TRPV2 agonist O1821 (20-30 mg/kg/day), or a combination of both. Mice were scored over a 61-day period. Synovial tissues were obtained for RNA sequencing. Mice on monotherapy with either O1821 or etanercept developed milder clinical disease. The O1821 protection was observed at an earlier time-point than in the etanercept group. The combination therapy group achieved a more robust and sustained reduction in disease severity than either monotherapy group. All treatment groups had reduced scores for synovial inflammation, synovial hyperplasia, and erosive changes, compared with controls, with the combination group achieving the most significant protection. RNA sequencing and pathway analyses of synovial tissues identified pathways and processes regulated by the TRPV2 agonist, such as chemotaxis and cytokine receptor signaling, including IL6R. The combination therapy affected additional pathways not seen in the monotherapy groups. In conclusion, the TRPV2 agonist achieved an overall similar reduction in arthritis severity and histology scores as etanercept, but the combination therapy achieved a more sustained disease control and more pronounced reduction in joint damage, suggesting a potential future option for improving disease control in RA. RNA sequencing analyses identified new pathways regulated by TRPV2, and also by the combination treatment.

Incident of Sore Throat History among Patients with Rheumatic Fever

Introduction: The incidence of rheumatic fever is decreasing day by day in Bangladesh. Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of Rheumatic fever are demanding a review of the cause of Rheumatic fever. The illness may present itself in several ways, such as carditis, arthritis, chorea, subcutaneous nodules, and the recognizable erythema marginatum rash [2]. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to observe the rate of sore throat in patients with rheumatic fever. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out at the National Centre for control of Rheumatic fever and heart disease, Sher-c-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. The study period was 11 months, starting from January 2019 to November 2019. The study was performed on recorded data of 300 patients with Rheumatic fever. Result: The present study showed that 30 (10%) patients out of 300 came with an acute sore throat, 216 (72%) patients with a history of sore throat, and 54 (18%) patients with no history of sore throat either acute or past. Rheumatic fever is undoubtedly a morbid one but can be prevented at its beginning by primary prophylactic measures. Conclusion: Rheumatic fever is a disease, which usually follows streptococcal infection of the throat. The study's underlying presumptions appear to overstate rather than understate the dangers of non-antibiotic sore throat treatment. Low socio-economic status, poverty, illiteracy; overcrowding, low levels of nutrition and non-immunization status were the predisposing factors in the causation of rheumatic fever.

Pediatric cardiac services in Sudan: Achievements, challenges, and future perspectives (2004-2021).

Pediatric cardiology (PC) is a rapidly advancing specialty addressing a large population of children as well as adults with congenital heart disease. It requires huge technical and financial resources; therefore, establishing, maintaining, and developing such services in limited resource settings are challenging. A PC program that includes clinical aspects, echocardiography, diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization and cardiac surgery, and rheumatic heart disease control was established in Sudan in 2004. There are currently three public centers with facilities to evaluate and treat children with heart disease: two in Khartoum and one in Wad Medani. Major obstacles include the shortage of trained personnel and operation rooms, the deficiency of intensive care facilities, and the financial burden of interventional procedures. This paper details the establishment and progress of the program, its challenges, potential solutions, and future perspectives for PC programs in Sudan and African countries.